CFL Standout WR Chad Owens Set to Try Hand at MMA

Once upon a time, nobody knew two-sport dominance like Bo Jackson,
who was a star in both the National Football League and Major
League Baseball during a storied athletic career.

Chad Owens will probably never achieve the legendary status of
Jackson, but the Toronto Argonauts standout is attempting a pretty
noteworthy dual feat in his own right. Owens, who set a Canadian
Football League record with 3,863 total yards last season, will
make his MMA debut on April 6 at Destiny’s “Na Koa III” at the
Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. According to the promotion’s website, Owens will
square off with fellow MMA newcomer Junyah Tevaga.

Owens was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2012 as
Toronto captured the Grey Cup; it was his third straight season of
3,000 or more total yards. Despite his outstanding resume, the
former University of Hawaii football standout felt the need to test
himself in another arena.

"I wanted to get into something new. A new challenge. Something to
keep me hungry,” Owens told
Hawaii News Now. “I always wanted to get into it sometime and
this offseason I thought would be the perfect time."

Toronto is scheduled to play its first preseason game against
Winnipeg on June 12. The
Toronto Star reports that the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Owens is not
violating the terms of his contract with the Argonauts by competing
in an MMA bout.

According to Hawaii News Now, Owens has been working extensively
with “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 competitor Scott Junk.
Owens’ work ethic has impressed the 13-fight veteran.

“He shows up gives 110-percent and at the end of the day, when it's
all over, there's a puddle on the floor where Chad was training.
Chad puts in work." Junk said. "If you had to market him and
compare him to somebody, he's like Rashad
Evans. He's really explosive and really smooth and he's relaxed
but he's powerful."

No matter how impressive Owens might be in training, you can bet
the Argonauts coaching staff will be in holding their breath come
April 6.